Roma

The Roma (also known as "gypsies") are an enigmatic group found on the margins of societies throughout Europe, most especially in Romania. From the controversial traditions surrounding marriage to the ostentatious palaces built by the Roma elite, they are the focus of considerable ire.

As wealthy as some Roma are, many others are quite impoverished, living literally on the edges of remote communities, including Haranglab. The divide between Roma and the rest of the population is probably even greater than the divide between Hungarian and Romanian populations. Shortly after our 2004 visit, I found a Dutch professor who was doing development work with the Roma of Haranglab. If I am able to reconnect with him, it might be interesting to learn about that aspect of the community.

Meanwhile, the BBC reports on a recent study of Roma discrimination by Amnesty International.